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When Should I Pump Out My Septic Tank?

Septic tanks are an important part of both conventional and aerobic sewage systems. These tanks are usually constructed from concrete or plastic and collect sewage and wastewater from the house.
Given the fact that septic tanks can hold a finite amount of sewage, it's common for homeowners to ask how often these tanks should be emptied. The answer: It varies. As a general rule, you should empty out your septic tank once every two to four years.
However, the actual frequency will vary depending on usage and how many people live in your household. You may need to pump out a tank more frequently in larger households, for instance, while a single person living alone in a house may be able to go four or five years without having the tank pumped out but a family of seven might have to pump every one or two years.

Why does the tank need to be emptied?

Overload is one of the main reasons why septic tanks need to be emptied more frequently. Just because you've never experienced any major problems with the tank doesn't mean you should neglect your responsibility for maintaining it properly.
Emptying a septic tank is important because of the tank's main purpose. By design, heavier substances settle at the bottom and eventually form a sludge layer. If the sludge builds up to higher levels than allowed, more solid substances will make their way into the pump tank and may clog up the pump. This can lead to backups and costly repairs. The final part of this sequence of events involves unsanitary water making its way back to the surface because the septic system has become overloaded. When this occurs, you and your neighbors will smell it before you see it.

Emptying the tank

Part of the routine check by WasteNot Septic is to take a core sample of the pump tank. When the sludge reaches a level close to the screen on the pump (usually around 6-8 inches) our technician will recommend that you have the system pumped.
It's in your best interest to call a professional to pump out the septic tank. They are specifically trained to handle the waste and dispose of it at an approved processing facility. Many times a cheaper pumping service will cut corners such as leaving some waste in the tanks which can shorten the interval between the next pumping greatly. The adage "you get what you pay for" often rings true.
If you're in need of septic tank pumping services, we recommend that you contact Cruse Pumping today.
Cruse Pumping (817) 430-1531